Security Union: New rules closing information gaps become law

Yesterday, new rules to make European security, migration and border management information systems work together in a more intelligent and targeted way became law. A political priority for 2018-2019, the interoperability measures will ensure that border guards and police officers have access to the right information whenever and wherever they need it to perform their duties. The new measures will help them detect identity fraud more easily while ensuring the highest standards of data protection and respect for fundamental rights. It is now over to the eu-LISA Agency, which is responsible for the management of the large-scale IT systems in the area of freedom, security and justice, to begin the work of developing the interoperability tools.

The systems becoming interoperable include the Entry/Exit System (EES), the European Criminal Records Information System (ECRIS-TCN), the Schengen Information System (SIS), the Visa Information System (VIS) and the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS). The new rules require the development of 4 technical components, including a European Search Portal, a shared Biometric Matching Service, a Common Identity Repository and a Multiple Identity Detector. The work is expected to be complete by 2023.

In the meantime, the Commission will assist Member States in implementing the Interoperability Regulations.